"Gone Girl is so many things at once: sharp as a razor about many aspects of American life that have been untouched by movies, very tough and just as funny, brilliantly acted, and 100 percent entertaining -- a wild ride from start to finish," New York Film Festival Director and Selection Committee Chair Kent Jones said in a statement Thursday. "In short, a great American movie based on a literary phenomenon, directed by one of the best filmmakers alive. I'm so proud to have the world premiere of this film as our opening night."

The book and film are about what happens when Nick Dunne's wife Amy disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary.